The Miami Dolphins’ recent strategy of trading draft picks for established players hasn’t yielded the desired results. This approach contrasts sharply with the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles, who have built their success through strong drafting. Both teams, now meeting in the Super Bowl for the second time in three years, rely heavily on homegrown talent rather than expensive free-agent signings.
While the Eagles have key acquisitions like Saquon Barkley and A.J. Brown, their core remains drafted players. Fourteen of their starters in their dominant win against Washington came through the draft, including recent selections Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. Similarly, the Chiefs featured 15 homegrown starters in their playoff win, reinforcing the importance of hitting on draft picks for sustained competitiveness.
Kansas City’s Blueprint: Draft and Develop
Kansas City’s dominance is not just about Patrick Mahomes but also their ability to develop talent. The Chiefs lost stars like Tyreek Hill and L’Jarius Sneed but remained competitive due to strong drafting. Their 2022 draft class alone produced five key starters, showcasing how teams can replace departing veterans with young, cost-controlled talent instead of relying on high-priced signings.
Dolphins’ Trade-Heavy Strategy Falls Short as Chiefs and Eagles Thrive Through Drafting (NFL)Miami has taken the opposite approach, often sacrificing picks for established players. The 2022 draft saw them trade away key selections for Tyreek Hill, leading to a weak class that produced no significant contributors. A similar pattern followed in 2023, where only De’Von Achane has made an impact. The lack of young talent forces Miami to continually rely on short-term veteran fixes, preventing long-term stability.
Missed Opportunities in Recent Drafts
The Dolphins’ 2020 draft, which could have provided a solid foundation, has largely been a disappointment. While Tua Tagovailoa and Austin Jackson remain, injuries cloud their futures. Other picks like Noah Igbinoghene and Raekwon Davis never lived up to expectations. Even their strong 2021 class, featuring Jaylen Waddle and Jaelan Phillips, wasn’t enough to offset the missteps. Miami’s lack of homegrown depth has been costly.
The Dolphins might be correcting course, as their 2024 draft class shows promise with Chop Robinson and Jaylen Wright. With a crucial 2025 draft ahead, Miami must resist the urge to trade picks for short-term gains. GM Chris Grier and coach Mike McDaniel face a pivotal decision: continue chasing immediate success or build sustainably like Kansas City and Philadelphia. The long-term solution lies in the draft, not high-profile trades.
